Easter is a time to rejoice and celebrate the resurrection of Christ. But for pastors and other church leaders, the Easter season can become a time of over-programming and burn out as you scramble to finish up last minute details.

Pastors, while you are faithfully serving those in your congregation this Passover/ Easter season, we want to thank you and pray for you as Paul did for the faithful in Ephesus:

Because we have heard of your faith in Messiah Jesus and your love toward and care for all those who belong to God, we give thanks for you. We also pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which He has called you, what are the riches of His glorious inheritance in those who belong to God, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power toward you, your congregation, and all of us who believe.

We pray that you may know and experience this Passover/ Easter season the greatness of this power--this same power that he brought about in the Messiah, when he raised him from among the dead and made him to sit at His right hand in the heavens, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things for the community, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

May you be filled to overflowing as you share the good news of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection!

Noel Sterett, a partner at Mauck & Baker, represents churches and religious organizations in zoning disputes. He is a board member of Courtside Ministries and an Allied Defending Freedom ally.

ZONING REPORT

Recalling RLUIPA

The Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act is critical part of Mauck & Baker's practice, providing federal protection for churches and religious organizations. Attorney John Mauck played a critical role in drafting the law before it was passed 14 years ago.

"Religious freedom is a bedrock principle in our nation," said former Senator Edward Kennedy to Congress on July 13, 2000. These words were spoken less than a month before the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act was passed before both the United States Senate and House of Representatives in a unanimous vote. Six weeks later President Clinton signed the bill creating a new federal law. Read More.